Trusted Counsel (Ashley), LLC, an Atlanta-based corporate and intellectual property law firm, announced that it is expanding its team of seasoned lawyers with the addition of Thomas Wardell.

As a respected legal expert with more than 40 years of corporate counseling, Wardell joins the firm as Senior Counsel to provide clients with his extensive transactional experience and unparalleled expertise in public securities and corporate governance. Additionally, he will be involved in the training and mentoring of new attorneys, sharing his experience of having been both on the operating side of a law firm as well as the CEO of a $250-million computer systems company.      

“I see the addition of Tom as a significant piece of the puzzle in the growth of services provided by Trusted Counsel,” said Evelyn Ashley, managing partner at Trusted Counsel (Ashley), LLC. “In early 2017, Trusted Counsel combined with Siavage Law Group, founded by Mike Siavage who has an exceptional start-up practice. Now, Tom is bringing his public securities and corporate governance practice, as well as his transactional and operating experience. I see this piece giving us that additional platform to provide not only expanded expertise and service to our clients, but also helping to instill the professionalism, mentorship and knowledge that our young lawyers can benefit from in terms of their career growth.” 

Wardell’s extensive corporate counseling background includes corporate finance and securities; mergers and acquisitions; and corporate reorganizations and restructurings. He has represented public and private companies across a broad spectrum of industries, and has counseled companies on compliance and governance matters, including investigations both internal and with regulatory implications. From 1988 to 1993, Wardell was CEO of Versyss, a provider of computer systems for small businesses. He also served as an adjunct professor at Boston University School of Management and a guest lecturer at Harvard Business School. Wardell is a Vice Chair of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. He has been recognized with numerous accolades for his advisory services and promotion of diversity in the legal profession.  

“Trusted Counsel is the niche firm that every company that is past liftoff―and can see its future―wants,” said Wardell. “The firm knows how to help its clients get to yet another level in terms of revenue, size, reach, and markets. I expect to add my skills and experience, especially from the operating side, to help make that happen. Additionally, I enjoy working with and mentoring young lawyers so I look forward to sharing my ‘battle scars’ with the team.”